#28 Take Pictures Every Week

No problem taking pictures, except that they are mostly of the twins. I'm not too interested in being in pictures myself.

#15 Ask for Help When I Need It

I am marking this as complete for now, but will make sure to keep up with it. I hate asking for help. It makes me uncomfortable, makes me feel like I owe favors in return, and makes me feel like I am lame for not being able to do everything myself. But the past few months have taught me many lessons - one of which is that it is OK to ask for help. So many people have been generous with their help and support. Friends have watched Gw. for us while we were with the twins in the hospital or had play dates with her. Friends have made us meals, which have been so wonderful. I had many visitors in the hospital to keep me company and made sure I didn't loose my mind. Friends helped us move and unpack - which we totally didn't deserve since we hate helping people move. My parents came to Austin for THREE weeks to help us and it was wonderful. My girlfriends threw me a wonderful baby shower, my co-workers gave us a generous gift. And I know people have been praying for us as we went through all this craziness with the twins and moving. Most of these things I didn't really even have to ask for, so that made it easier to accept help.

I decided that when the time comes, I will return all these favors and pay it forward when others are in need. There will be hard times for everyone and we will do what we can to help when people need it. And maybe we will have a big 1 year celebration for the twins birthday and invite everyone who helped us get through the pregnancy, moves and first year of having THREE kids.

Long Hiatus

Obviously, I haven't updated my list in awhile. Now that I have the hands free pumping going, I can spend a little more time updating - in 20 minute increments. The past few months I haven't gotten much done since I was on bed rest and physically unable to do very much. And I haven't blogged because I was in the hospital with no internet access. So - lots of excuses. I have several items in progress now though and will try to do better about updating everything and actually working on this freakin list.

What I've Been Up To

No updates, I've been busy

24. Read 3 books that Jenna picks out for me

2 down, 1 to go. This has been a fun one, she picks out good books. I just finished The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, published in 1943. It took me about 200 pages to get into it, I hated all the characters, but I really liked the book.

The Fountainhead's protagonist, Howard Roark, is a young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision. He refuses to pander to the prevailing "architect by committee" taste in building design. Roark is a singular force that takes a stand against the establishment, and in his own unique way, prevails.

The book highlights Rand's philosophy of Objectivisim -
Objectivism holds that reality exists independent from consciousness; that individual persons are in contact with this reality through sensory perception; that human beings can gain objective knowledge from perception through the process of concept formation; that the proper moral purpose of one's life is the pursuit of one's own happiness or "rational self-interest"; that the only social system consistent with this morality is full respect for individual rights, embodied in pure, consensual laissez-faire capitalism; and that the role of art in human life is to transform man's widest metaphysical ideas, by selective reproduction of reality, into a physical form—a work of art—that one can comprehend and respond to.

56. Save $5000 for redecorating a new house

Done! We close on Friday and after we have paid all the closing cost and the down payment there is plenty left over for decorating. We have already bought a new bedroom set - KING size bed baby! We ordered a new sofa for the downstairs family room, that should be delivered in about 4 weeks. We also bought a new bedroom set for Gwen with a twin bed - her current furniture will go to the twins room. Of course, John is doing his own decorating by getting a new TV and surround sound system. Personally, speakers and receivers don't get me all excited, but he has waited about 8 years to upgrade the stuff he bought out of college, so I'm happy for him.

Now I have to (or get to) add all the little things that make a house a home. New bedding for our room and I am going to pick out new stuff for our bathroom. Then to the dreaded task of picking out curtains. I hate curtains. Why are they so expensive? I don't get it - it's a role of fabric. But I am determined to do it for real this time.

I'm glad I have the opportunity to do this, but I am 29 weeks preggo with twins (i.e. feel like I'm 38 weeks preggo), it's hot, and I'm lazy. So now that I saved the money, I really should actually do what I planned and get it done before the twins come and I am unable to put 2 coherent thoughts together.

Updates - 1 month later

So, what have I done in a month? Not a whole lot, mostly gestate babies and try not to complain too much.

5. No swearing - I think I'm doing pretty good on this. Every once in a while John catches me saying something, but not very often.

14. Be positive about changes look for the good - I need to work on this one, especially in the next few months when we will be going thought a LOT of changes.

28. Take pictures every week - we have been taking a photo of me every week with my growing belly and pictures of the new house as it is completed. We also take lots of pictures of Gwen and John has been using the video camera more to catch her talking.

29. Call extended family 1/month - talked to my Aunt Susie this week and also my friend Kelly in MI that is due to delivery today!

38. Bake once a month - John brought home some starter dough for Amish Friendship Bread a few weeks ago. The first batch was awesome. The second batch I had to improvise on some ingredients but it was still good. The last round I made 6 loaves and froze them for us to eat while I'm on maternity leave.

52. Have baby's room ready 1 month before due date - AUGH!!!! Once we get in the house I will actually be able to do this. I have a whole list of things to buy, but it is very hard to pick anything out when I'm not physically living in the space.

53. Nurse new baby - holy S. I'm doing a lot of reading about this, we'll see.

57. Save 20% for a down payment on the house - Technically, I should wait 2 weeks to say complete when we close, but this is done.

89. 20 min of physical activity each day - so not happening. I am super paranoid about working out after all my doctor visits and risks for delivery early. But I am really looking forward to starting physical activity again in Oct/Nov.

I guess that is it for now.